Unit 4: El Nino and La Nina Flashcards
Gyres
A large scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Upwelling
The upward movement of ocean water towards the surface as a result of diverging currents.
Wind direction during normal conditions
East to west
Wind strength during normal conditions
Strong
Precipitation location in during normal conditions
Most rain in Asia
Water temperature in eastern pacific during normal conditions.
Cool
Water temperature in western pacific during normal conditions
Warm
Wind direction during El Nino conditions
West to east
Wind strength during El Nino conditions
Weakened
Precipitation location during El Nino conditions
Most rain on the US Gulf coast and SW regions
Water temperature in the eastern pacific during El Nino conditions
Warm
Water temperature in western pacific during El Nino conditions
Cool
Economic effects of El Nino and La Nina
Loss of crops when there is drought and increased fish populations because of upwelling (on the coast with cold water).
Why do west coasts usually have cooler temps than east coasts at similar latitudes?
Cold water from polar regions moves along the west coasts of continents, and the cooler air above these water brings cooler temps.
Upwelling causes deeper waters to bring what?
Nutrients that support large populations of producers.
Thermohaline circulation
An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deepwater and is crucial for moving heat and nutrients around the globe.
What are La Nina and El Nino?
Climate patterns in the Pacific.
La Nina causes ____________ tradewinds.
Stronger
Cold water brings _______ pressure, warm water brings _______ pressure.
High, low
Warm water brings _____ precipitation.
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